Due to the Governor’s announcement tonight that he is withdrawing his oil tax bill, public testimony on HB 3001 set for the morning of Thursday, April 26th, has been cancelled.
Read More →Today, the governor signed into law Representative Les Gara’s legislation to ensure future public access to Alaska’s fishing streams, House Bill 144. The bill passed the House last year with a vote of 38 Yeas and passed the Senate by a vote of 20 to 0 on February 27.
“I want to thank the governor and the legislative body for their support in protecting Alaskans’ access to fishing streams for this and the next generation. In other states you have to pay access fees to fish a stream, or are simply blocked from this public resource. We don’t ever want that to happen in Alaska,” said Rep. Les Gara (D-Anchorage), an avid fisherman and fishing writer.
Read More →Well good news doesn’t usually come in the hospital. But that’s where I am, and where I got the good news that the Governor signed my bill seeking to maintain and enhance the cherished right of Alaskans to access our fishing streams, so public access remains for this and the next generation.
Predictions are that surgery went well, but it will be a little bit before we know for sure. What we do know is all the cancer is gone - thanks for all the well wishes. That’s the good news. It will take a little time to find out if there are any side effects.
Read More →Well, a flurry of bills passed the last 24 hours of the regular legislative session. I’ll give you the highlights and low lights, and a short preview of special session.
I’m able to write now that my blood pressure is back to normal. What caused the rise? The few legislators who pride themselves on blocking good legislation out of pure partisanship and animosity. Would anyone outside the Legislature (or Congress where the same stuff is done) really make the state a worse place just because you’re trying to block legislation by an “opponent” – or trying to make your opponent’s election chances worse? It’s a sick part of the legislative process that, I’m happy to say, most legislators don’t tolerate. But the few that do make life, and the state, worse for the rest of us.
Read More →JUNEAU- Today the Alaska Legislature passed the Alaska Foster Family Protection Act, Senate Bill 82. The bill sponsored by Senator Bettye Davis, D-Anchorage, aims to ensure long term success for Alaska’s roughly 1,700 foster youth.
“As a former social worker, I know how important it is to give these children a shot at a normal life,” said Senator Davis. “This legislation will help keep them together with their brothers and sisters throughout the process and ensure that the state never gives up looking for a permanent home for them.”
Read More →Lots of good for schools, but not enough to prevent cuts this year or in the future
JUNEAU – Today, House Democrats claimed a partial victory in the debate over school funding as the House passed a bill that provides far more resources to Alaska’s schools than what the governor proposed. The governor flat funded education and later proposed what was effectively a $10 million one-time increase, far short of keeping up with inflation.
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